152 



PRiECOCIAL GKALLATOKES — LIMICOL.E. 



The numerous species of this genus vary greatly among themselves in the details of structure, 

 iilthough there is a general similarity of coloration throughout the group. The American species 

 may be distinguished as follows : — 



jE. nitwfd. 



A» Nape crossed by n more or leas distinct white collar. 

 a. Bill decidedly shorter than middle toe, very stout (excejit in ^. curonica), the basal half 



light colored (orange or yellow) in adults, except in -£'. curonica, 

 a'. A distinct web l)etween Imse of inner and middle toes. 



1. JB. semipalmata. Abuve, grayish brown ; forehead, ling round neck, and lower parts, 



white. In summer, fore part of crown, lores, and broad pectoral collar (continued round 

 back of neck, below the white nuchal collar) black or dusky. In winkr, these black 

 markings ixjplaced by grayish brown, like the back, etc. Yonnij, like winter adults, but 

 bill wholly black, and featiiers of upi)er parts nuirgined terminally witli buff. Wing, 

 about 4..'Jl)-4.7r) ; culnien, .J.J-.oO ; depth of bill at base, .20; tarsus, .95; middle toe, 

 .()5-.70. Huh. Nearly the wlnde of America. 

 a". No web between base of inner and middle toes. 



2. XI blaticula. Colore of ..£'. semijHilmata, but pectoral band broader. Wing, about 5.00 ; 



culmen, .50-..")5 ; depth of bill at base, .20-.:i2 ; tarsus, l.(H); middle toe, .60-.65. 

 Hah. Paliuarctic Region and jiortions of Arctic America. 



3. JD. ouronioa. Similar to ^E. hiaticida, but smaller and much more slender, especially 



the bill, which is always black ; middle of crown crossed by a more or less distinct 

 whitish Ijiir, immediately iH-hind the black patch. Wing, 4.3.5—4.70 ; culmen, .50-.52 ; 

 depth of bill at basi', .15-18 ; tarsus, l.(H^-1.05 ; middle toe, .55-.60. Hab. Paia'arctic 

 Regicm generally ; accidental in Cidifornia and Alaska f 

 . 4- JD. meloda. Above, i)ale brownish gray ; foi-ehead, lores, nuchal collar, aii<l lower parts 

 white. Ill summt'i; a band across {on \K\rt of crown, and one across each side of breast 

 (the latter .sometimes c(mnectetl, so as to form a continuous jjectoral band), black or 

 dusky. In winkr, the.se black markings replaced liy light brownish gray, and the bill 

 almo.st entirely, or wholly, l>lai:k. Yoiiiig, like tlie winter plumage, but feathers of upper 

 surface with distinctly i»aler terminal nmi-gins. Wing, 4.."iO-4.80 ; culmen, .45-.50 ; depth 

 of bill at base, .20-.22 ; tarsus, .85-1.00 ; middle toe, .,55. 



a. var. vielwla. Black i>ectond baiul wholly oi' ])aitially interrupted iu the middle poi- 

 tion. Hah. AtLmtic coa.st of Uiuted .><tates. 



/3. var. circumcincta. Black jjectoi-al band entirely continuous. Hah. Missouri River Region 

 of United States, straggling easlwanl. 

 6. Bill much longer than the middle toe, very slender, wholly black. 



6. XL alezaodriQa. Above, light brownish gray ; forehead, superciliaries, nuchal collar, 

 and lower parts white. In summer, fore jtart of the crown, a transverse patch on each 

 side of breast (and sometimes a loml streak), black or dusky ; pileum sometimes (espe- 

 cially in adult nmles) buify or rufescent. Bill, legs, and fei-t, black or dusky. 



